Michael Jackson's Mother Enters Estate Legal Fray

Katherine Jackson wants to join a lawsuit against the executors of her son's estate.

As the legal fight between Michael Jackson's estate and the IRS winds down, another battle is heating up.

The estate has been involved in one lawsuit after another since the singer's death, facing off with Quincy Jones, Jackson's ex-manager Tohme Tohme and "Thriller" director John Landis — just to name a few. Now Katherine Jackson, the late King of Pop's mother, is asking the court to let her intervene in a lawsuit that centers on The Michael Jackson Company.

She claims she owns 10 percent of TMJC, which was formed in 2006. This legal fight began in 2013 after another TMJC shareholder, Qadree El-Amin, requested to inspect the company's financial records. As part of Jackson's ongoing probate proceedings, attorneys for the estate asked the court for an order determining that Jackson himself was the sole member and owner of TMJC.

El-Amin then sued estate executors John Branca and John McClain, claiming they were making deals on behalf of TMJC without approval of its shareholders. Broderick Morris, Adean King and Raymone Bain also contend they are part owners of TMJC and are plaintiffs in the suit.

Despite being a beneficiary of the Michael Jackson Family Trust and a purported shareholder of TMJC, Katherine Jackson says she was kept in the dark about El-Amin's inquiry and the resulting litigation. "Adjudication of the parties' claims in my absence may impair or impede my ability to protect that interest," states her declaration filed with the court by attorney Ryan Baker of Baker Marquart. "For a variety of reasons, which I will further present to the Court, in camera, if the Court desires, I now join this action as a Plaintiff to enforce my rights as one of the co-owners of TMJC."

Attorneys for the estate have not yet commented on the motion. A hearing is currently set for April 19.